The term “high-speed rail” may distort the true nature of its proposed speed. Currently, Amtrak trains – regular trains – run at 79 mph. The Midwest’s projected high-speed rail service will operate at that same speed, occasionally increasing to 110 mph. Does the term inflate the travel benefits? Are top speeds being constricted by outside interests?

Sen. Martin Sandoval, chairman of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, is positing electric-powered bullet trains (150-220 mph) as an exemplary answer. Such a model would reduce the trip from Chicago to St. Louis from five-and-a-half to two hours. And the idea is not exclusive to the Illinois Department of Transportation – theoretical bullet train tracks are being laid in California and Florida right now. And while the IDOT’s bid for a $5 million grant to study the feasibility of true high-speed rail was denied in the first round of federal government awards, they’re shooting for $8 million in the second round. An answer should be made public in late September.

Support for no-more-than-110 mph service is coming from companies that stand to benefit from improved freight railroad service and track upgrades – not from increased ridership. Union Pacific Railroad, owner of the 284-mile line between Chicago and St. Louis, hasn’t agreed to boost the number of passenger trains after the track is modernized.